I need opinions regarding a pump for a skimmer.

Flyflicker · 04/27/2006, 09:35 AM

I need a new pump for my skimmer. It has to be submersible since I do not have enough room underneath my tank for an external. The inlet to the skimmer is 1/2 an inch. I currently have a quiet one 4000 pump http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...A&N=2004+113041
and it is not pushing nearly enough water. I am thinking that I could double the water output and be just fine.
So I was thinking about buying a quiet one 9000 pump but was concerned about necking 1 1/2 inches down to 1/2. The thing that I did like about the quiet one pumps is that I can get good output without the watts because I cannot afford to have the water heated up, or the electricity bill for that matter.
The other pump that I was thinking about is a mag drive 2400 pump. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...0&N=2004+113041
The reason that I liked this one was that it was high output with a smaller neck so I wouldn't have to neck it down so much and loose some of that power. The down side is the wattage... 265 vs 145 with the quiet one.

Can anyone give me some good advice. Or maybe another pump that solves all my problems.

bertoni · 04/27/2006, 05:09 PM

What skimmer do you have? I assume you're looking for a pump to move water from a sump to the main tank?

I would be careful about adding 265 W of heat to the tank. That might be okay, but that's a lot of power down the drain (so to speak).

Flyflicker · 04/27/2006, 06:18 PM

This is the skimmer that I have. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...egory_Code=ETS

I am looking for a pump to supply the skimmer, not to pump it back to the main tank. And yea, I am scared of the heat and electricity with 265 W.

Do you think that I will have to get that watt sucker or do you have any other suggestions...

bertoni · 04/27/2006, 07:48 PM

I guess I'd for either for the pump they recommend or this one:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ory_Code=Eheim

80 watts for the Eheim.

These Mag pumps should be okay, although a little less efficient:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=DN1125
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=DN1127

AZDesertRat · 04/27/2006, 08:57 PM

You don't need to move massive quantities of water to make the skimmer work well. They key is getting it whipped up into a froth so the foam carries the organics up to the cup. I would look at a needlewheel pump like the Oceanrunner 2700 or 3700.

landragon · 04/27/2006, 09:08 PM

I beleive the skimmer has a beckett style injector, and a NW pump would not work. With these you do need to move a ton of water through. Get the Eheim. Pay more, spend less.

bertoni · 04/27/2006, 10:52 PM

The page says it's "downdraft", which usually means bio-balls and massive flow to inject air. If not, I'm suggesting the wrong pump. Well, it says "dawn draft", but I assume it's a typo.

The Marine Technical Concepts web page talks about downdraft skimming, I think.

landragon · 04/28/2006, 08:35 AM

My bad. I misunderstood DD style skimmers.But a NW still would not be appropriate here right? Actually a "dawn draft" skimmer uses dishwashing liquid to polish your reef clean! It leaves no spots too.

04/27/2006, 09:35 AM	#1
Flyflicker Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 203	I need opinions regarding a pump for a skimmer. I need a new pump for my skimmer. It has to be submersible since I do not have enough room underneath my tank for an external. The inlet to the skimmer is 1/2 an inch. I currently have a quiet one 4000 pump http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...A&N=2004+113041 and it is not pushing nearly enough water. I am thinking that I could double the water output and be just fine. So I was thinking about buying a quiet one 9000 pump but was concerned about necking 1 1/2 inches down to 1/2. The thing that I did like about the quiet one pumps is that I can get good output without the watts because I cannot afford to have the water heated up, or the electricity bill for that matter. The other pump that I was thinking about is a mag drive 2400 pump. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...0&N=2004+113041 The reason that I liked this one was that it was high output with a smaller neck so I wouldn't have to neck it down so much and loose some of that power. The down side is the wattage... 265 vs 145 with the quiet one. Can anyone give me some good advice. Or maybe another pump that solves all my problems.

04/27/2006, 05:09 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	What skimmer do you have? I assume you're looking for a pump to move water from a sump to the main tank? I would be careful about adding 265 W of heat to the tank. That might be okay, but that's a lot of power down the drain (so to speak). __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/27/2006, 07:48 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I guess I'd for either for the pump they recommend or this one: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ory_Code=Eheim 80 watts for the Eheim. These Mag pumps should be okay, although a little less efficient: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=DN1125 http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=DN1127 __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/27/2006, 09:08 PM	#6
landragon Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 892	I beleive the skimmer has a beckett style injector, and a NW pump would not work. With these you do need to move a ton of water through. Get the Eheim. Pay more, spend less. __________________ "Experience is the only tool we aren't born with." Unknown

04/27/2006, 10:52 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The page says it's "downdraft", which usually means bio-balls and massive flow to inject air. If not, I'm suggesting the wrong pump. Well, it says "dawn draft", but I assume it's a typo. The Marine Technical Concepts web page talks about downdraft skimming, I think. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/27/2006, 06:18 PM	#3
Flyflicker Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 203	This is the skimmer that I have. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...egory_Code=ETS I am looking for a pump to supply the skimmer, not to pump it back to the main tank. And yea, I am scared of the heat and electricity with 265 W. Do you think that I will have to get that watt sucker or do you have any other suggestions...

04/27/2006, 08:57 PM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	You don't need to move massive quantities of water to make the skimmer work well. They key is getting it whipped up into a froth so the foam carries the organics up to the cup. I would look at a needlewheel pump like the Oceanrunner 2700 or 3700.

04/28/2006, 08:35 AM	#8
landragon Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 892	My bad. I misunderstood DD style skimmers.But a NW still would not be appropriate here right? Actually a "dawn draft" skimmer uses dishwashing liquid to polish your reef clean! It leaves no spots too. __________________ "Experience is the only tool we aren't born with." Unknown